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Archives for May 2017

Do you have a favorite color? There’s actually science behind that choice. Colors can affect our emotions in various ways and thus influence our behaviors. This knowledge underscores the importance of office design. If clients and/or visitors are turned off by your environment, they probably won’t want to do business with you.

Keep in mind, however, that the following suggestions aren’t going to be universal. Reactions to colors can be highly individualized due to a person’s past.

Colors and Their Responses

When considering what colors to use in your office space, think about the emotion you want to elicit. While blue is a great color, pink may evoke the emotions you’re seeking for your space. Here are a few options and the emotions they typically carry:

Green sparks creativity. A symbol of balance, green can also suggest growth and calm. Dark green is used to indicate wealth and prestige. Turquoise green is the color of creativity and mass communication, so it’s a good choice for training room walls.

Red reduces analytical thinking. However, it promotes productivity in physical activities. Depending on your industry, red may be a good choice.

Blue denotes honesty, loyalty, wisdom, conservatism, security, and confidence. It also stimulates the mind, so it can increase analytical thinking.

Yellow is the least likely to be a favorite color. It should be used sparingly.

Orange is associated with a good deal.

Pink calms people down. It generally helps settle most people down for about 30 minutes, after which they can remain in a calmer state.

White may lead to boredom. Too much of a monochromatic look can cause people to reflect on their own thoughts or daydream.

Color design elicits emotions, and if it’s used correctly, even a small change can optimize operations. Depending on your industry and use for your space, different colors can be used to help your productivity. Our team of office design specialists can help you choose the right color for your job. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a design expert.

Carpal tunnel syndrome causes tingling, weakness, numbness, and other problems in the hands. This condition is exacerbated by repetitive hand motions and can be debilitating, as some workers can’t return to work for long periods of time due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Prevention steps that can be taken by business owners include consideration of ergonomics, and you can contact Douron for an ergonomic assessment.

Preventative Ergonomic Steps

The workstation must be set up in a way to reduce wrist strain and prevent carpal tunnel. Such steps include the following considerations:

The top of the monitor should be at eye level.

Using headsets to avoid the ear-to-shoulder position when talking on phones.

Wrist pads to keep wrists in a neutral position.

Adjusting armrests so elbows are close to the body and bent at a 90-degree angle.

Chairs that adjust so the height allows feet to rest on the floor.

Taking little breaks every 10-15 minutes.

Stretching every 20-60 minutes.

Identifying Carpal Tunnel

Many times, carpal tunnel will first be felt in the thumbs. It then progresses to the first three fingers. It is important to discuss this with your doctor to ensure it is not another illness. If it is carpal tunnel, talk with your doctor to identify if it’s stemming from an underlying illness, such as hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes.

Managing Carpal Tunnel

Once carpal tunnel has been identified, there are a number of ways to manage the pain. When typing, wrists should be held a little higher than the hands. A wrist pad can be used to help keep the wrists in a neutral position. Switch hands whenever possible while performing repetitive hand motions, as this may also help manage the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Stop performing any activities that cause pain if possible.

Douron is here to help with all of your ergonomic needs. Schedule a consultation today, and do everything you can to help employees avoid carpal tunnel syndrome. Even initial symptoms may trigger a workers’ comp claim. Contact us to schedule an appointment with an office design specialist who can assess your ergonomic design needs.